Lewis J Ashby Letters

(3) the time of your life at the beach. I remain, the same old lover Your soldier boy Pvt. L.J. Ashby. Co. F 117 Reg. Engrs American Expeditionary Forces A.P.O. #715

P.S. give my love to your folks and to you I send all the love, hugs and kisses in the world.

Pvt. L. J. Ashby Co. F 117 Reg. Engrs. A.P.O. 715

Soldiers Letter

Post Mark: Long Beach, Cal. Oct 28 3 - PM 1918

Miss Mildred Neher Strike through: 402 East 1st St. Long Beach, Calif. U.S.A.

316 Ave 64 Los Angeles Calif.

OK. D D Gamman Lt Engs

Y.M.C.A. logo (centered) TELEPHONES: ELYSEES 44-34, 44-35, 44-36

TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS; RECREATION-PARIS

AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS: 12 RUE D'AGUESSEAU, PARIS

Aug. 27, 1918

My Dearest "Dude"

I was wondering how my dear girl as getting along and what she was doing, so tho't I'd drop her a line to let her know that her soldier boy was thinking of her.

We are now resting up after our turn in the trenches and are stationed in a little one horse village. Please excuse this letter sweetheart as this is about the deadest place I've ever been in. About the only excitement we get is when the village belle passes down the street or when a couple of strange roosters start fighting in the barn yard.

Say, dear, I'd go out and get the Kaiser

(2) myself if I knew that the next minute I'd be able to sit down and listen to you sing and play. I'm overflowing with kisses and hugs and love for you and when I get back were going to have some times aren't we dear?

I hope you received the package I sent to you in good order and when I get the chance again I'll sent you something nicer. If it can be gotten. If there's any thing special you want let me know as I'm only an old stupid lover and don't know what my little girl would like.

I've just been made first class private and expect soon to be made corporal. Give my love to mother.

From your soldier boy lover who thinks of you every minute.

Pvt. Lews J. Ahby Co. F 117 Reg. Engrs. A.P.O. 715 American Expeditionary Forces.

O.K. D D Gammau Lt

American Y.M.C.A logo

On Active Service with the American Expeditionary Force

Sept. 18 1918

My dear sweetheart "Dude" How are you dear? Haven't had any mail for over a month. We are at the front and are giving the "bosche" a run for there money. Harold received your letter yesterday. You wonder If we have safe jobs. Dear, there is no easy or safe jobs in the divisions that do the fighting. We do just as dangerous and sometimes more dangerous work than the infantry. Many times we go out in front of the infantry to work, building roads, bridges and putting up barb wire. We also go ahead of the tanks. So you see sweetheart an engineers life isn't all together an easy job.

(2) Here's a good parody on "You wore a Tulys, that we sing. You pushed a shovel, a short handled shovel. And I swung a great big pick; It was then we built fences, dug dug-outs and trenches, And the dirt was flying thick. When you got your job done, they'd find you another one, So it didn't pay to be too quick; The front rank a shovel, a short handled shovel. The rear rank a great big pick.

I'll write my "Dude" a nice long letter as soon as we get out. Hopeing you are in the best of health and having the time of your life at the beach. I remain your soldier boy lover.

P.S. This is a German envelope!

Pvt. Lewis J. Ashby Co. F. 117 Reg. Engrs. Am. E. Forces. A.P.O. 715